Attentional capacity dysfunction and arousal in schizophrenia.

Abstract

This article criticizes two influential premises underlying most of the current research on schizophrenia and attention: (a) belief in the existence of a specific information processing deficit, and (b) acceptance of a framework of cold Capacity theory is proposed as an alternative theoretical framework within which the various phenotypically diverse attentional deficits in schizophrenia may be seen to reflect a deficit in the control function that governs the •mobilization and allocation of attention. Attentional deficits, therefore, will be most manifest when effortful processing in short-term storage is required. Research on short-term memory processes in schizophrenics shows that the magnitude of the attention deficit correlates positively with the attentional requirements of the cognitive operations involved. This dysfunction, furthermore, is thought to reflect the high levels of arousal characteristic of schizophrenic subjects. Parallels in the performance of schizophrenics and essentially normal but hyperaroused subjects are outlined in support of this hypothesis. The failure to consider the possible mediating effects of hyperarousal on attentional performance of schizophrenics may constitute a major omission in the research on schizophrenic cognition. Finally, the direction of causality between arousal and information processing is addressed.

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   Weiner, Ina · 2003 · Psychopharmacology
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   Cornblatt, Barbara A., Erlenmeyer-Kimling, L. · 1985 · Journal of Abnormal Psychology

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